When planning your marriage ceremony day, there’s way more to consider than simply your ceremony and reception. Whereas these components are completely the principle occasions and the rationale why everyone seems to be becoming a member of collectively, most engaged {couples} determine to go all out and plan a complete marriage ceremony weekend to have fun their nuptials with household and buddies.
Whether or not a hometown celebration or a vacation spot marriage ceremony, most fashionable weddings embrace a welcome social gathering to kickstart the festivities, a rehearsal dinner for shut household and buddies, a energetic cocktail hour between the ceremony and reception, an after-party to maintain the marriage night time going, and sometimes a morning-after brunch to bid farewell to family members. You could determine so as to add some or all of those occasions to your marriage ceremony weekend itinerary – the selection is yours!
Be taught extra about every of the assorted occasions to your marriage ceremony weekend itinerary, and be impressed to host your marriage ceremony occasions at a number of the greatest marriage ceremony venues throughout North America!
Marriage ceremony Welcome Social gathering
Whereas historically weddings included solely a rehearsal dinner and a marriage celebration, {couples} are actually discovering extra methods to have fun with their friends. Whether or not or not you’re having a vacation spot marriage ceremony, the primary occasion on the marriage weekend itinerary that each one friends are invited to attend is usually a welcome social gathering – normally a dinner or cocktail social gathering that begins off the marriage weekend.
Whereas not everybody will attend, it’s necessary that you simply invite every of your attendees to this pre-wedding social gathering, which as of late, have change into fairly extravagant! Brides and grooms can lean right into a design scheme that previews their marriage ceremony décor or create a wholly recent look with a enjoyable theme that will not have labored for the nuptials themselves.
The timing of your welcome social gathering is as much as you. Some {couples} may have a Thursday rehearsal dinner, adopted by a Friday welcome social gathering for all of their friends, whereas others will do the alternative. As with something associated to your marriage ceremony day, do what feels best for you!
Venue Concept: JW Marriott Orlando, Grande Lakes
Should you’re internet hosting a marriage in Orlando, Florida, think about JW Marriott Orlando, Grande Lakes to your welcome social gathering! Whereas the resort – which options almost 150,000 sq. toes of occasion areas – can actually host a complete marriage ceremony weekend, these planning their ceremony and reception at completely different Orlando venue can invite out-of-town friends to remain on the lush, 500-acre property and host a marriage welcome social gathering at one of many property’s stunning indoor and outside areas.
JW Marriott Orlando, Grande Lakes; Photograph courtesy of Marriott Worldwide
Following a multi-million-dollar renovation, friends staying on the resort will get pleasure from the brand new Grande Lakes Waterpark that includes a lazy river, three waterslides, and luxurious cabanas, in addition to an 18-hole golf course designed by PGA legend Greg Norman, and farm-to-table fare at Whisper Creek Farm – a 7,000-square-foot fruit and vegetable backyard with an adjoining 11,000-square-foot outside occasion area, which might additionally host marriage ceremony social gathering occasions!
Rehearsal Dinner
The rehearsal dinner sometimes takes place instantly following the ceremony rehearsal the night time earlier than the marriage; nonetheless, if that schedule doesn’t work, you possibly can alter it to suit your marriage ceremony schedule. This dinner ought to present gratitude to your family members and sometimes occasions, it’s a possibility for shut buddies, cousins, grandparents, and so forth to present speeches.
At a minimal, these concerned within the ceremony (the marriage social gathering and officiant(s) in some circumstances) and their important others needs to be invited, alongside along with your rapid households. Past that, you possibly can lengthen the invitation to out-of-town friends and extra. Should you embrace prolonged household, it needs to be equal on each side – if the bride’s aunts and uncles are invited, the groom’s needs to be invited as nicely. We advise creating a transparent guest-list cutoff and sticking to it to keep away from damage emotions.
Whereas much less formal than the marriage itself, many marriage ceremony planners encourage making a seating chart for this dinner so that each visitor – lots of whom are seemingly assembly for the primary time – can get correctly acquainted earlier than the marriage day. Just like the welcome occasion, be at liberty to design the celebration to enrich the marriage day or select a wholly new feel and appear.
Venue Concept: SLS, a Luxurious Assortment Lodge, Beverly Hills
{Couples} internet hosting their marriage ceremony in or close to Beverly Hills, California, are inspired to incorporate SLS, a Luxury Collection Hotel, Beverly Hills of their marriage ceremony weekend occasions. The attractive venue presents 15 occasion areas excellent for a rehearsal dinner or the massive day itself, with customizable experiences all through your marriage ceremony weekend – and even pre-wedding occasions, reminiscent of engagement events, bachelorette weekends, bridal showers, and extra.
SLS, a Luxurious Assortment Lodge, Beverly Hills; Photograph courtesy of Marriott Worldwide
Visitors staying on the SLS in Beverly Hills will relish within the five-star lodging and facilities, reminiscent of California delicacies served on the Vista Rooftop, participating in dawn yoga and lounging in cabanas on the sunny rooftop pool deck with panoramic views of Los Angeles, or indulging in facials and therapeutic massage therapies on the luxurious Ciel Spa, which might even be a beautiful setting for a bridal-party spa day main as much as the marriage weekend.
Venue Concept: Residence Inn Huge Sky – The Wilson Lodge
Locals and guests alike are heading to Huge Sky, Montana, for snowy winter weddings or gorgeous spring and summer time fêtes. {Couples} looking for cozy lodging for his or her family members, in addition to the right rehearsal dinner location or marriage ceremony venue, will love Residence Inn Big Sky – The Wilson Hotel. With capability for as much as 150 friends, the Wilson Ballroom presents breathtaking views of the mountains to create a romantic backdrop.
Residence Inn Huge Sky – The Wilson Lodge; Photograph courtesy of Marriott Worldwide
As one of many latest accommodations in Huge Sky, The Wilson will deal with your friends to pet-friendly studios and suites for a house away from house as they discover the pure great thing about the world, in addition to get pleasure from Montana-inspired fare on the onsite Copper Whisky Bar & Grill. The property can be simply steps away from native retailers, eating places, and bars in Huge Sky’s City Middle, so there can be no scarcity of issues to do whereas attending your marriage ceremony weekend!
Marriage ceremony Ceremony
Though the marriage ceremony is often the shortest a part of your complete marriage ceremony weekend, it is usually the important cause why you, your fiancé, and your family and friends are gathered to have fun: to honor your love and your marriage as you trade vows.
Regardless of what number of family members are attending your nuptials, create an intimate ceremony that appears like simply the 2 of you by personalizing the service. Many brides and grooms choose particular music, write their very own vows, select particular readings, or incorporate their cultural traditions to make sure the ceremony is exclusive to them.
When seating your family and friends for the ceremony – whether or not held in a church, chapel, or temple, open air on a terrace or manicured garden at a shocking resort, or inside a powerful ballroom, the custom of the “bride’s aspect” and the “groom’s aspect” is now not needed; nonetheless, you will need to reserve seats within the first one or two rows for the mother and father and grandparents of the bride and groom. {Couples} are additionally now internet hosting in-the-round ceremonies so all of their friends have an incredible view of the proceedings.
Venue Concept: JW Marriott The Rosseau Muskoka Resort & Spa
Brides and grooms welcoming friends to Muskoka Lakes in Canada’s Ontario province will fall in love with JW Marriott The Rosseau Muskoka Resort & Spa. The attractive lakefront location presents the right place to host your marriage ceremony ceremony. The Lakeview Garden overlooking Lake Rosseau presents breathtaking views for a memorable vow trade, and an extra 16 venues all through the resort are excellent for extra marriage ceremony weekend occasions.
JW Marriott The Rosseau Muskoka Resort & Spa; Photograph courtesy of Marriott Worldwide
Although the property presents easy accessibility to Muskoka’s famed outside actions, family members might not even need to depart the resort. With award-winning eating places and bars, a rejuvenating spa, a year-round indoor-outdoor pool, and two non-public seashores providing water actions within the summertime, there’s one thing for everybody to get pleasure from simply 2 1/2 hours from Toronto.
Venue Concept: Le Méridien Delfina Santa Monica
Situated simply 4 blocks from the seaside, Le Méridien Delfina Santa Monica is a boutique resort providing the right house base for friends who need to discover all that Los Angeles has to supply. From the top-floor Delfina Penthouse Ballroom with scenic views of the Pacific Ocean and the Santa Monica mountains to attractive outside venues, there’s no improper place to say “I do.”
Le Méridien Delfina Santa Monica; Pictures courtesy of Marriott Worldwide
From the second your marriage ceremony friends are supplied glasses of Champagne on arrival, they’ll be given a red-carpet expertise whereas staying onsite to your by-the-beach marriage ceremony. Visitors will get pleasure from coastal-inspired resort rooms with up to date décor, craft cocktails and California-inspired delicacies at Longitude Bar + Restaurant, an out of doors pool and bikes out there for rides alongside the pier or seaside, and extra.
Venue Concept: Sheraton Fairplex Lodge & Convention Middle
{Couples} on the lookout for a ceremony venue in East Los Angeles will discover Sheraton Fairplex Hotel & Conference Center to be an enthralling place to say “I do.” With gorgeous outside occasion areas, marriage ceremony friends can benefit from the California sunshine as you trade vows.
Sheraton Fairplex Lodge & Convention Middle; Photograph courtesy of Marriott Worldwide
The picturesque property in Pomona supplies suite lodging with enhanced facilities to your family members, in addition to entry to the resort’s signature restaurant, McKinley’s Grill, showcasing native components from the onsite Farm at Fairplex.
Cocktail Hour
Whereas some {couples} have determined to change issues up and begin the marriage with cocktails and hors d’oeuvres earlier than the vow trade, cocktail hour is most frequently held between the ceremony and reception. Whether or not to present the couple and their marriage ceremony social gathering an opportunity to take images, enable friends time to journey between the ceremony and reception venue, or present sufficient setup time if the identical area is used for each the ceremony and reception, cocktail hour retains family and friends occupied till dinner is able to be served.
When folks consider cocktail hour, alcohol and hors d’oeuvres instantly come to thoughts; nonetheless, there may be way more that happens inside that quick hour between marriage ceremony occasions. It is a time for friends to socialize, maintain their starvation, and put together for the festivities. It’s additionally the couple’s probability to captivate attendees by creating a way of pleasure.
To make the cocktail hour one to recollect, transcend background music, some appetizers, and libations, and herald components that friends wouldn’t count on till later within the night. Some solutions embrace dwell music, dancers and performers, garden video games and actions, caricature artists, magicians, interactive lounge areas, photograph stations, or distinctive meals shows. You need this portion of the night to fly by, however at all times depart your friends wanting extra!
Venue Concept: Marriott Marquis Washington, DC
For {couples} getting married within the nation’s capital, Marriott Marquis Washington, DC is a perfect property to begin the festivities at your cocktail hour and past. With over 100,000-square-feet of occasion areas throughout 80 venues, we love the scenic outside terrace venue providing aerial views of Washington, DC, making for an incredible cocktail hour location when the climate permits (or a tented choice for a stress-free planning expertise).
Marriott Marquis Washington, DC; Photograph courtesy of Marriott Worldwide
After your elegant metropolis marriage ceremony, friends can retreat to their fashionable visitor room or suite, savor the subtle flavors at onsite eating places, or step outdoors to get pleasure from historic native points of interest, energetic nightlife, and world-class buying – all inside strolling distance from the property.
Marriage ceremony Reception
Your marriage ceremony reception will seemingly be the a part of the marriage weekend that friends are most wanting ahead to. In any case, it’s the occasion that features a scrumptious dinner, customized cocktails and nice wines, heartfelt speeches and toasts, and naturally, loads of dancing and revelry!
Whether or not you determine to host your marriage ceremony reception underneath the celebs or choose indoor areas reminiscent of a sublime ballroom, the very best marriage ceremony venues for memorable receptions embrace sufficient area to seat your friends, in addition to have loads of room for a number of bars, a dance ground, and even lounge areas for friends to mingle with these not seated at their tables.
Whereas gorgeous backdrops and distinctive décor assist to create an unimaginable atmosphere for this celebration, what your friends will bear in mind most is how a lot enjoyable that they had – and that begins with the bride and groom having enjoyable as nicely!
Venue Concept: La Posada de Santa Fe, a Tribute Portfolio Resort & Spa
Santa Fe is a magical vacation spot year-round, which is why we’re anticipating the placement to change into much more in style for weddings. La Posada de Santa Fe, a Tribute Portfolio Resort & Spa presents the right place to have fun. From outside venues underneath the celebs to Spanish Colonial-style ballrooms, friends can be overjoyed with the award-winning chef and catering choices you choose, in addition to the structure and nature surrounding the property.
La Posada de Santa Fe, a Tribute Portfolio Resort & Spa; Photograph courtesy of Marriott Worldwide
Situated on six acres, this Southwestern-style desert marriage ceremony venue is simply steps away from Santa Fe’s historic plaza showcasing museums and artwork galleries. After they’re not exploring the vacation spot or participating in marriage ceremony festivities, family members will discover respite in casita-style visitor rooms, loosen up at Spa Sage, or dine at certainly one of 4 energetic onsite bars and eating places.
Venue Concept: The Mayflower Lodge, Autograph Assortment
For almost a century, The Mayflower Hotel, Autograph Collection has been an iconic spot in Washington, DC, making it the right place to host a quintessential DC marriage ceremony weekend. With spectacular, newly restored ballroom venues, your reception can be wealthy in timeless luxurious. You could even be celebrating with family members in the exact same ballroom that hosted over 70 years of Presidential Inaugural Balls, galas, and different noteworthy occasions!
The Mayflower Lodge, Autograph Assortment; Photograph courtesy of Marriott Worldwide
As Harry S. Truman stated, the property is “Washington’s second-best tackle,” so that you’ll haven’t any worries that your friends will get pleasure from their keep all through the marriage weekend. From elegant rooms and suites to glorious eating, the resort is a no brainer for {couples} needing a DC marriage ceremony with loads of lodging for his or her family members.
Venue Concept: Marriott Marquis Houston
Brides and grooms exchanging vows in Houston can be thrilled to have fun their marriage ceremony reception at Marriott Marquis Houston – particularly in the event that they’re internet hosting a big visitor listing. With ballrooms able to seating as much as 2,600 folks, the resort is a saving grace for {couples} having a tough time discovering a venue that can comfortably accommodate their family and friends. Spacious occasion lawns and rooftop venues are additionally out there for marriage ceremony weekend occasions.
Marriott Marquis Houston; Pictures courtesy of Marriott Worldwide
Set within the vibrant downtown district, friends staying on property will adore the deluxe lodging, infinity pool, and the world’s largest Texas-shaped rooftop lazy river at Altitude Rooftop & Pool. Family members may watch the massive sport on the onsite sports activities bar, get pleasure from wine tastings on the wine bar, or savor Texas flavors at domestically sourced eating places.
After-Social gathering
Your marriage ceremony is without doubt one of the happiest days of your life, so it is sensible why {couples} need to lengthen it for so long as attainable. Whether or not because of having an earlier finish time than you’d like or simply wanting an excuse to change up the vibe throughout your reception, an after-party is a should.
To excite your family and friends attending the after-party, the occasion ought to embrace upbeat music and leisure (when you had a band to your reception, think about a DJ to create a club-like environment), further drinks and late-night bites, and loads of room for dancing.
Because you’ll need the after-party venue to be near the reception, it’s sensible to have it in a distinct location inside the similar venue and even on the resort the place most of your family members are staying. Should you’re internet hosting a marriage weekend at a resort or resort, this can be a seamless transition! For smaller after-parties, you possibly can even ebook a set – simply be sure you examine with the property concerning any noise restrictions, so the enjoyable temper isn’t ruined by a go to from safety.
Venue Concept: W Philadelphia
Even when you’re not internet hosting your marriage ceremony at W Philadelphia, the playful luxurious resort is the right place to host your after-party – particularly if most of your marriage ceremony friends are staying on the Middle Metropolis property. Host a personal, VIP after-party within the 2,300-square-foot, two-bedroom Excessive WOW Suite, full with a DJ sales space and floor-to-ceiling home windows, for hours of post-wedding enjoyable, or select the WET® Deck bar terrace overlooking downtown Philadelphia for an unforgettable cap to the very best marriage ceremony night time.
W Philadelphia; Photograph courtesy of Marriott Worldwide
When friends are usually not attending your marriage ceremony occasions, they’ll have lots to maintain them busy at this resort within the “Metropolis of Brotherly Love.” With dynamic eating choices, a year-round heated pool, and delightful Away Spa, the property can be close by to the historic Outdated Metropolis, critically acclaimed eating places, the Philadelphia Museum of Artwork, and extra.
Morning-After Brunch
Although actually not obligatory, the morning-after brunch is an more and more in style development for the final word marriage ceremony weekend. In any case, it’s an effective way to spend a little bit extra time along with your family members earlier than they head house and also you jet off in your honeymoon.
Whereas some pairs merely invite their friends to a post-wedding brunch by utilizing the breakfast choice on the resort the place the vast majority of friends are staying, many {couples} select to plan a way more particular, non-public event. Verify with the resort to see if an space of the onsite restaurant might be reserved, or work straight with the catering supervisor to customise a brunch to your liking – from the décor to the menu – in one of many property’s occasion areas.
Given numerous journey schedules and even hangover ranges to your friends, it’s seemingly that the general public you need to embrace in your farewell brunch gained’t need to arrive at a set time – particularly if it’s early. Thus, it’s advisable that the post-wedding occasion is a extra informal brunch with a buffet versus a plated service, so family and friends can drop by once they’re prepared. It is a time to loosen up along with your family members within the glow of your new married standing.
Venue Concept: The Westin St. Francis San Francisco on Union Sq.
Whether or not you hosted your nuptials at The Westin St. Francis San Francisco on Union Square or most of your family members are staying on the resort whereas attending your San Francisco marriage ceremony, the downtown property is an excellent setting to bid adieu to your friends with a morning-after brunch. Select from 35 spectacular occasion venues wealthy with historical past for this particular send-off – and the ultimate occasion of your marriage ceremony weekend!
The Westin St. Francis San Francisco on Union Sq.; Photograph courtesy of Marriott Worldwide
Since opening in 1904, friends have cherished the property’s stately magnificence and turn-of-the-century European model. As the one resort straight situated in Union Sq., your family and friends may have the privilege of viewing San Francisco’s iconic cable automobiles simply outdoors the doorways, in addition to entry to the town’s greatest buying, theatre, nightlife, and eating points of interest.
Vacation spot Marriage ceremony Venues
Increasingly {couples} are selecting to host vacation spot weddings in lieu of hometown celebrations. Since most brides and grooms as of late develop up, meet, and dwell in numerous cities throughout the US (and even the world) from their family and friends, even a marriage near the place they at present dwell can find yourself being a vacation spot marriage ceremony for many friends.
As a result of must journey, the vast majority of vacation spot weddings have a smaller visitor listing, which can enable for extra high quality time with the couple throughout the celebration and extra occasions all through the marriage weekend, reminiscent of excursions, a enjoyable welcome social gathering, and so forth.
The great thing about a vacation spot marriage ceremony is it permits you and your fiancé’s households and buddies to return collectively for as much as a complete week. Don’t really feel obligated to plan each minute to your family members. Give friends sufficient to do to get a really feel to your vacation spot, but in addition enable them sufficient time to loosen up and plan actions on their very own. Ship a marriage weekend itinerary along with your invites, share it in your marriage ceremony web site, and put one other copy in welcome baggage!
Venue Concept: Orlando World Middle Marriott
Whether or not you and the one that you love need a part of your marriage ceremony weekend to be celebrated at Walt Disney World® otherwise you’re simply on the lookout for an incredible vacation spot marriage ceremony location in Florida, Orlando World Center Marriott has all the things you and your friends will want. That includes 102 venue choices – together with the Harvest Terrace, a variety of expansive ballrooms, and outside venues with lake and golf course views – the 200-acre property is supplied to host every of your marriage ceremony weekend occasions and guarantee all of them have a singular look.
Orlando World Middle Marriott; Photograph courtesy of Marriott Worldwide
Particularly splendid for kid-friendly occasions, the resort features a free shuttle to Walt Disney World, a waterpark full with a lagoon-style pool, a children’ splash zone, three waterslides, and a lazy river that friends of all ages will love. Plenty of bars and eating places, a calming spa, 18 holes of golf at Hawk’s Touchdown Golf Membership, and extra facilities will affirm there’s no scarcity of actions for friends to get pleasure from all through the vacation spot marriage ceremony weekend.
Venue Concept: The Ritz-Carlton Maui, Kapalua
Should you’re one of many many {couples} who has at all times dreamt of a vacation spot marriage ceremony in Hawaii, The Ritz-Carlton Maui, Kapalua is a dream marriage ceremony venue. With 466 visitor rooms, there’s actually sufficient area to have your entire family members keep onsite all through your vacation spot marriage ceremony weekend. For the entire marriage ceremony occasions, you’ll work with a marriage planner to carry your Hawaiian marriage ceremony imaginative and prescient to life all through the 54-acre property.
The Ritz-Carlton Maui, Kapalua; Photograph courtesy of Marriott Worldwide
Whereas staying onsite, friends will get pleasure from beachfront eating at eating places serving up recent native flavors, sip cocktails from luxurious poolside cabanas, and bask in Hawaiian spa therapies for the final word island escape. Visitors may go to the seaside or ebook a tee time at certainly one of two 18-hole golf programs surrounded by a historic pineapple plantation. Aloha!
Regardless of which of those marriage ceremony occasions you select to have throughout your marriage ceremony weekend, a very powerful factor is to make every a part of your marriage ceremony day mirror you as a pair. Have enjoyable with the planning course of, and sit again, loosen up, and benefit from the marriage ceremony of a lifetime!
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